Paul Chapman (musician)
Encyclopedia
Paul William "Tonka" Chapman (born 9 June 1954) is a Welsh
rock
guitarist best known for his work in bands such as UFO
and Lone Star
. Chapman is well known by his nickname "Tonka", allegedly acquired because of his indestructible qualities
.
as guitarist. His tenure was fairly short and only lasted until July 1972. His next band was Kimla Taz, with whom he was guitarist from December 1972 to May 1974.
Chapman first joined UFO in 1974 as a second guitarist to augment their live sound having answered an advert in UK's music paper, Melody Maker
. He auditioned at the Unity Theatre in London. Although Chapman did not record an album during this period, he did join in time to tour and promote the Phenomenon
album. However, he can be heard with the band on several tracks on the BBC
live sessions album that was released retrospectively. He left UFO in January 1975 due to personal differences with the band, and went on to form Lone Star
, where he remained until June 1978.
In 1977, he filled in for Michael Schenker
in UFO when they were on tour with Rush
in the United States during one of the German guitarist's absences.
, Strangers in the Night
which would increase their profile even further. Chapman is acknowledged on the album.
Chapman recorded his first album with UFO – No Place To Run - with ex-Beatles
producer George Martin
; which was released in January 1980. UFO undertook a tour to promote it culminating in a five night sell out at London’s Hammersmith Odeon.
Chapman remained in UFO until 1983 and played on another three albums, The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent
(1981); Mechanix
(1982); and Making Contact
. In 1983, after numerous line-up changes UFO decided to call it a day and the tour was promoted as a farewell tour (although they subsequently reformed the following year). UFO released a compilation album
later that year incorporating songs featuring various of their members in other bands. Chapman was represented by a Lone Star song. The album was completed by several songs recorded live on the farewell tour.
, United States
to form a new band DOA. He later hooked up with former UFO band member Pete Way
in Waysted
and recorded the albums The Good the Bad the Waysted
and Save your Prayers. After this Chapman founded Ghost in 1993, fronted by another Welshman, Carl Sentence.
In 1993, Chapman was lined-up as the guitarist for a reformed UFO, but Michael Schenker was employed instead.
Chapman released an album, Anthology Volume One, on his own Paul Chapman Enterprises label, which covered his career from Lonestar through to Ghost. A solo instrumental track, "The Bells of Berlin" appeared as part of the December 2000 archive Waysted collection Your Prayers Are Saved.
He played on a Nazareth
tribute album released in 2001, Another Hair Of The Dog, on two tracks "This Flight Tonight" and "Let Me Be Your Dog".
His next appearance was in late 2002, when he guested with former Virgin Steele
guitarist Jack Starr
's new band project, Jack Starr and the Guardians of the Flame, for the February 2003 album, Under A Savage Sky. Following this Chapman and Pete Way
reformed Waysted along with original singer Fin. After completing a new album Chapman resigned from the band in November 2004.
Nothing was heard from Chapman (he became a music instructor in Melbourne, Florida) until May 2006, when he announced he was planning to re-record classic UFO songs. He enlisted the help of Robin McAuley
who sang on versions of "No Place To Run", "Wild, Willing & Innocent" and "The Writer" cut at Garudio Studios in Palm Bay
. The project has yet to see the light of day.
In July 2006, Chapman joined the American
southern rock
band Gator Country
, a seasoned collection of Molly Hatchet
veterans.
Currently, Chapman teaches music one-on-one at his studio in downtown Melbourne, Florida
.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
guitarist best known for his work in bands such as UFO
UFO (band)
UFO are an English heavy metal and hard rock band, who were formed in 1969. UFO became a transitional group between early hard rock and heavy metal and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal...
and Lone Star
Lone Star (band)
-History:Lone Star were a Welsh rock band formed in Cardiff, Wales in 1975. An embryonic line-up consisted of former Iona members, Kenny Driscoll and Tony Smith, former Quest bassist Ray Jones, and drummer Jim Mathews...
. Chapman is well known by his nickname "Tonka", allegedly acquired because of his indestructible qualities
Tonka
Tonka is an American toy company most known for its signature toy trucks and construction equipment.-History:On September 18, 1946 Mound Metalcraft was created in Mound, Minnesota with three men as partners, Lynn Everett Baker , Avery F. Crounse, and Alvin F. Tesch. The first products produced by...
.
Early career
Chapman’s first notable band was the Welsh outfit Universe. Chapman then joined Skid Row in December 1971 replacing Gary MooreGary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
as guitarist. His tenure was fairly short and only lasted until July 1972. His next band was Kimla Taz, with whom he was guitarist from December 1972 to May 1974.
Chapman first joined UFO in 1974 as a second guitarist to augment their live sound having answered an advert in UK's music paper, Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper. It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival" New Musical Express.-1950s–1960s:Originally the Melody...
. He auditioned at the Unity Theatre in London. Although Chapman did not record an album during this period, he did join in time to tour and promote the Phenomenon
Phenomenon (UFO album)
Phenomenon is the third studio album by the British rock band UFO, released in May 1974.- Production :This was the third studio album and the debut on Chrysalis. UFO left their blues-based "space rock" sound behind, in part due to the presence of new guitarist Michael Schenker. The album was...
album. However, he can be heard with the band on several tracks on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
live sessions album that was released retrospectively. He left UFO in January 1975 due to personal differences with the band, and went on to form Lone Star
Lone Star (band)
-History:Lone Star were a Welsh rock band formed in Cardiff, Wales in 1975. An embryonic line-up consisted of former Iona members, Kenny Driscoll and Tony Smith, former Quest bassist Ray Jones, and drummer Jim Mathews...
, where he remained until June 1978.
In 1977, he filled in for Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker is a German rock guitarist, best known for his tenure in UFO, in addition to his solo band. He first rose to fame as a founding member of the Scorpions, then achieved fame in the mid 1970s as the lead guitar player for UFO. Since leaving UFO in 1978, he has been leading the...
in UFO when they were on tour with Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
in the United States during one of the German guitarist's absences.
The UFO years
After resuming with Lone Star following the tour, Chapman later rejoined UFO in December 1978 on a full time basis after Schenker and UFO parted company. By this time UFO were an international success, and were about to release their live albumLive album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
, Strangers in the Night
Strangers in the Night (UFO album)
Strangers in the Night with original subtitle A Double Live Album is a live album by the British rock band UFO, first released in 1979 on the Chrysalis label....
which would increase their profile even further. Chapman is acknowledged on the album.
Chapman recorded his first album with UFO – No Place To Run - with ex-Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
producer George Martin
George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...
; which was released in January 1980. UFO undertook a tour to promote it culminating in a five night sell out at London’s Hammersmith Odeon.
Chapman remained in UFO until 1983 and played on another three albums, The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent
The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent
The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent is the ninth studio album by British hard rock band UFO and the first to be entirely self-produced by the band. The song "Lonely Heart" was a minor UK hit single. The controversial original cover was as usual designed by the art studio Hipgnosis...
(1981); Mechanix
Mechanix (album)
Mechanix is the tenth album by the British hard rock band UFO, released in 1982. The contemporary music-press adverts on the album's release carried the tag-line 'Mechanix: it will tighten your nuts'...
(1982); and Making Contact
Making Contact (UFO album)
Making Contact is the eleventh studio album released by the British hard rock band UFO, the first album without founder bassist Pete Way.-Side one:#"Blinded by a Lie" – 3:58#"Diesel in the Dust" – 4:29...
. In 1983, after numerous line-up changes UFO decided to call it a day and the tour was promoted as a farewell tour (although they subsequently reformed the following year). UFO released a compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
later that year incorporating songs featuring various of their members in other bands. Chapman was represented by a Lone Star song. The album was completed by several songs recorded live on the farewell tour.
Post UFO
After the tour, Chapman went to FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to form a new band DOA. He later hooked up with former UFO band member Pete Way
Pete Way
Peter 'Pete' Frederick Way is a bass player.He is the bassist of UFO, Waysted and formerly, Fastway and Ozzy Osbourne....
in Waysted
Waysted
Waysted are a heavy metal band formed by UFO bassist Pete Way and Scottish rocker Fin Muir in 1983. Recruiting Frank Noon , Ronnie Kayfield and Paul Raymond, Waysted signed to Chrysalis Records and released Vices in 1983....
and recorded the albums The Good the Bad the Waysted
The Good the Bad the Waysted
The Good, the Bad, the Waysted is Waysted's third studio album. This album gained relative recognition with its song "Hang 'Em High".-Track listing:# "Hang 'Em High"# "Hi Ho My Baby"# "Heaven Tonight"# "Manuel"# "Dead on Your Legs"...
and Save your Prayers. After this Chapman founded Ghost in 1993, fronted by another Welshman, Carl Sentence.
In 1993, Chapman was lined-up as the guitarist for a reformed UFO, but Michael Schenker was employed instead.
Chapman released an album, Anthology Volume One, on his own Paul Chapman Enterprises label, which covered his career from Lonestar through to Ghost. A solo instrumental track, "The Bells of Berlin" appeared as part of the December 2000 archive Waysted collection Your Prayers Are Saved.
He played on a Nazareth
Nazareth (band)
Nazareth is a Scottish hard rock band, founded in 1968, that had several hits in the UK in the early 1970s, and established an international audience with their 1975 album Hair of the Dog. Perhaps their best-known hit single was a cover of the ballad "Love Hurts", in 1975...
tribute album released in 2001, Another Hair Of The Dog, on two tracks "This Flight Tonight" and "Let Me Be Your Dog".
His next appearance was in late 2002, when he guested with former Virgin Steele
Virgin Steele
Virgin Steele is a heavy metal band from New York, originally formed in 1981.The band released a few career highlights albums...
guitarist Jack Starr
Jack Starr
Jack Starr was an outsider musician who recorded in 1960s Texas and whose recordings have been released by Norton Records. A comprehensive compilation of his work has recently been repressed as the "Born Petrified" LP...
's new band project, Jack Starr and the Guardians of the Flame, for the February 2003 album, Under A Savage Sky. Following this Chapman and Pete Way
Pete Way
Peter 'Pete' Frederick Way is a bass player.He is the bassist of UFO, Waysted and formerly, Fastway and Ozzy Osbourne....
reformed Waysted along with original singer Fin. After completing a new album Chapman resigned from the band in November 2004.
Nothing was heard from Chapman (he became a music instructor in Melbourne, Florida) until May 2006, when he announced he was planning to re-record classic UFO songs. He enlisted the help of Robin McAuley
Robin McAuley
Robin McAuley is an Irish rock vocalist known mostly for his work in McAuley Schenker Group and before that Grand Prix recording 2 albums...
who sang on versions of "No Place To Run", "Wild, Willing & Innocent" and "The Writer" cut at Garudio Studios in Palm Bay
Palm Bay, Florida
Palm Bay is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population as 100,786 on 1 July 2008; it is the most populous city in the county...
. The project has yet to see the light of day.
In July 2006, Chapman joined the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
southern rock
Southern rock
Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music, and genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitar and vocals...
band Gator Country
Gator Country
Gator Country is an American Southern rock band formed in Davie, Florida in 2005 by several ex-members of the Southern rock group Molly Hatchet...
, a seasoned collection of Molly Hatchet
Molly Hatchet
Molly Hatchet is an American southern rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1975. They are widely known for their hit song "Flirtin' with Disaster" from the album of the same title. The band, founded by Dave Hlubek and Steve Holland, took its name from a prostitute who allegedly mutilated...
veterans.
Currently, Chapman teaches music one-on-one at his studio in downtown Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
.